Protecting screen for cinematographic apparatus



., N MERLE 1,727,891

PROTEGTI'NG SCREEN FOR CINEMATOGRAPHIG APPARATUS Filed Feb. 17, 1928 2Sheets-Sheet 1 IIIIII 5416/5 Sept. 10, 1929 A. N. MERLE Sept. 10, 1929.

PROTECTING SCREEN FORy CINEMATOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Filed Feb. 17, 1928 2Sheets-Sheet 2 ILL Z lans:

Patented Sept. 10, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANDR NOEL MERLE, 0E VINCENNES, FRANCE, AssIGNoR To PATH CINEMA, ANCIENSTABLISSEMENTS PATHE FRERES, or PARIS, FRANCE.

PROTECTING SCREEN FOR CINEMATOGRAPHIC APPARATUS.

Application led February 17, 1928, Serial No. 255,028, and in FranceJuly 29, 1927.

In cinematographic View-taking apparatus in which the film is drawnforward by one or more claws, the part of the film adjacent the clawsmay be fogged by the light which enters through the lens and is diffusedin the chamber containing the claw mechanism.

The present invention relates to a device by which this defect will beobviated. The said device is characterized in that it comprises a screenslidable against the projection aperture of which it closes the partused for the vertical displacement of the claws, the part used for theirinsertion being closed by the claws themselves.

The principal features of .the invention will be specified in thefollowing description with reference to the appended drawings which aregiven by way of example.

Fig. 1 is a vertical section on an axial plane passing through the clawsofthe front part of the view-taking apparatus which serves as anexample; the section is not made through the claw-actuating arms andlevers, the shutter, and the lens.

Fig. 2 is a corresponding side view, in section on the line Af-A of Fig.1.

Fig. 3 is a modification of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is the side view corresponding to the said modification, on theline B-B of Fig. 3.

Fi 5 is a horizontal section on the line C- of Fig. 4. Y

In the device shown in Fig. 41, the part of the film 1 which is adjacentthe apertura 2 employed for the reciprocating movement of the claws 4would be fogged by the light entering through the lens 3 and diffused inthe chamber 5, if a special screen were not placed before the saidaperture 2. The size of this latter depends upon the movement of theclaws 4.

According to the invention, there is provided a screen 6 consisting of aplate which is vertically guided by the screw 7 and by two slots 8 orthe like. The said screen, which is apertured in such manner as toprovide only for the insertion of the claws in the forward directionrelatively to the film, follows the motion of the claws and is A9 and10, so that the claws .c law 4, are in certain cases reduced to a.single hollow projection.

drawn with them. If the back motion of the claws is excessive, it ispreferable to add to the screen 6 the hollow projections will alwaysremain in contact with the screen.

Obviously, the invention is not limited to the details of constructionherein described and represented, which are given solely by way ofexample.

The size and shape of the said screen may be as desired. It will not bedeparting from the principle of the invention if the' said hollowprojections of the screen, instead of exactly surrounding the pointedend of each Figs. 3, 4 and 5 show this modified embodiment. In thisconstruction the inner space 12 of this projection must be practicallyinsuflicient to allow the access of light to a degree which would fogthe lilm adjacent the aperture 2, Fig. 3.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. lIn a cinematographic view-takin apparatus, a partition on one sideof whlch a perforated film is adapted to travel and provided with anelongated slot, a claw on the other side of said partition and adaptedto engage said perforated lm through said slot, a feeding mechanism forreciprocating said claw along said slot, a screen 1ndepend. ent of saidfeeding mechanism provided with an aperture for said claw and supportedby said claw opposite said slot, the length of said screen being atleast equal to the sum of the length of said elongated slot and of thelength of the stroke of the claw along said slot, whereby said elongatedslot is constantly covered by said screen, and guiding means for saidscreen adapted to hold said screen near said partition.

2. In a cinematographic view-taking apparatusfa partition on one side ofwhich a perforated' film is adapted to travel and provided with anelongatedslot, a plurality of claws on the other side of said partition4 and adapted to engage said -perforated film through said slot, afeeding mechanism forv reciprocating said claws along said slot, ascreen independent of said feeding mechanism provided with apertures forsaid claws and supported by said claws opposite said slot, the length ofsaid screen being at least equal to the sum of the length of 4saidelongated slot and of the length of the stroke of the claws along saidslot, whereby said elongated slot is constantly covered by said screen,and guidin means for said screen adapted to hold sa1d 'screen near saidpartition.

' 3. In a cinematographic view-taking apparatus, a partition on one sideof whicha perforated film is adapted to travel vand vprovided with anelongated slot, a claw device on the other side of said partition andadapted to engage said perforated rfilm through said slot, a feedingmechanism for reciprocating said claw Vdevice along said slot, a screenindependent of said feeding mechanism provided with apertures for saidclaw device and supported by said claw device opposite said slot, thelength of said screen being at least equal to the sum-of the length ofsaid elongated slot and of the length of the stroke of the clawdevicealong said slot, whereby said elongated slot is constantly coveredby said screen, guiding means for said screen adapted to hold saidscreen near said partition and a hollow projection provided on saidscreen around each of said apertures, whereby said claw device remainsconstantly engaged with said screen, whatever the distance between theclaw device and the film may be.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

ANDR NOL MERLE.

